Roof light and the like



Sept. 29, 1936. G. H. LENKE ROOF LIGHT AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f/z-re/z for M *MMM Filed Jan. 8, 1934 Sept; 29, 1936. H LENKE 2,055,901

ROOF LIGHT AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 8, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 X K mm Am Patented Sept. 29, 1936 UNITED ROOF LIGHT AND. THE LIKE George H. Lenke, Elmhurs't, Ill; assignor of onehalf to Julius Ohlis, Oak'l ark',

Application January 8, 1934, Serial .No. '7.05,7,51 "20 Claims. (o1.94-2s) This invention relates to roof-lights and the like, and has special reference to an improved concrete roof-light.

While I :have and shall refer to the invention .as relating .to roof-lights and shall describe hereinafter in connection with the drawings a rooflight structure embodying the invention, it is to be understood that the invention may be vembodied in all similar structures, such as vault lights, floor lights, skylights, or any other such glazing structure where suitable or desired.

A concrete structure of this sort is preferable to an all-metal structure, because in an allmetal structure, when the outside'temperature is relatively low, the higher inside temperature will travel through the metal parts from the inside to the outside, chilling the inside structure and causing collection of condensation thereon. Concrete is a very poor conductor of heat andwill not conduct heat from the inside to the outside in the manner of an all-metal structure. And,

as a result, condensation does not form and collect on the inside of such a structure.

These concrete structures, as heretofore constructed, have however, presented another problem. The concrete has been exposed along the top or outer surfaces of the structure, and as concrete absorbs moisture relatively readily, the exposure of the concrete has subjected it to moisture absorption which, particularly atrelatively low outside temperatureshas resulted in cracking of the concrete. Cracks permit. water and moisture to enter which, .of course, is highly undesirable in .a structure of this sort.

The present invention has for one of its objects the provision of an improved structure in which this chilling and collection of condensa- .tion on the inside parts of the structure is-eliminated, at the same time a structure in which concrete is not exposed along the top or outer surface, and a structure in which the problem of cracking and entry of water and moisture is overcome.

Another and more specific object is the provision of means formed of concrete ,or other equivalent material of relatively low heat conductivity for supporting the panes with a grid of metal or equivalent material preferably embedded in the support and presenting spacers between and framing parts around the panes, and still more specifically the provision with such pane supporting means and grid of a waterproof sealing filler surrounding the panes and interposed between the spacers and framing parts of the gridandthe margins-of-thepanes.

the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

the grid structure;

' Another more specific object is the provision of an improved beam structure with the grid preferably embeddedtherein and the panes sup- ,portedupon the beam structure and separated by the spacers presented by the grid and a waterproof sealing-filler interposed between the panes and the spacers.

I Another more specificobject is the provision ,of an improved framing structure formed of con- -,crete;-or other equivalent material of low heat conductivity, and notched to present an inset surface for supporting thepanes, the grid being embedded in this structure and there preferably .being .a'watereproof sealing filler around the margins .of the ,panes. t Another object isjthe provision of an improved metal flashing for the framing structure, and vsti-l-l another object is the provision ,of an improved grid structure comprising fiat crossing and interlocking bars of uniform thickness 7 through their depth, an improved framing part forthe grid, and an improved interlocking en- ,gagement between the flashing and the framing "part of the grid.

tails of the illustrated embodiment of the invention will appear from thejfollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a roof-light structure embodying the present inv r n':

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 2- 2 'of Figure 1;

f Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken on Figure 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail perspective" view of the grid structure;

f Figure "7 is another fragmentary detail per- .spectiveview of thegrid structure; and

Figure 8 is another fragmentary detail perspective view of the grid structure.

Referring to the drawings, the structure shown comprises the framing structures 5 defining openings 6 with beams 1 extending across the openings 6 and between the sides of the framing "structure 5. A grid 8 defines grid openings, and" panes 9 of glass or other suitable or preferred 1 material are disposed in theigrid openings and supported upon the beams 1 and framing structure, 5 in'the manner to :be hereinafter described.

It is to be understood that there may be as many openings 6 as desired, each with its surrounding framing structure, and each provided with the intersecting beams I, and each provided with its grid structure and its panes 9. The number of beams 1 per opening 6 will vary with variations in the size of the opening, and the sectional structures shown in the drawings may be duplicated as desired.

The sides of the framing structure and the beams l are formed preferably of concrete, although it is to be understood that other materials having low heat conductivity may be employed within the scope of the broader aspects of the present invention. In the case of concrete or equivalent material, the framing structure 5 and beams 1 may be made in forms of steel or other suitable material, the ends of the beams being formed integral with the sides of the framing structure and constituting therewith a unitary support for the grids and glass panes The beams and the sides of the framing structure 5 may be reenforced by suitable metal reenforcing rods I0. The inner sides of the framing structures are erected and supported upon a beam l l which constitutes a part of the building structure and is preferably formed of concrete, and the outer sides of the framing structures are erected and supported upon curbs l2 which, also, are preferably of concrete or similar material. Insulating strips or gaskets l3 of asphaltic or asbestos material are preferably interposed between the framing structure 5 and the beam ll and curb l2.

The inner margins of the upper surfaces of the sides of the framing structures .5. are scarfed or notched at M to form inset surfaces l5, and the topsurfaces l6 of the beams 'l are disposed fiush with these inset surfaces IS. The surfaces l5 and I6 constitute the pane supporting surfaces as will hereinafter appear.

Each grid 8 consists of an open metal framework consisting of a series of bars l8 parallel with each other and a second series of bars l9 parallel with .each other and crossing the bars I8 at right angles thereto. These bars l8 and I9 are preferably formed of strip brass to avoid deleterious action between these bars and the concrete, as well as deleterious action between these bars and the water-proof sealing compound. It is to be understood, however, that these grid bars may be of other suitable or preferred material within the scope of the present invention. Where they cross the bars [9, the bars I8 are notched at 20 to receive correspondingly notched portions 2| in the bars I9, each notch 20 and 2| being of substantially half the depth of its bar so that when the bars are assembled and inter- 'locked, as shown, the upper edges of the bars l8 will lie flush with the upper edges of the bars l9, and the lower edges of the bars l8 will lie flush with the lower edges of the bars IS. The interlocking joints at the notches 20 and 2| are preferably soldered, and each bar is preferably provided with a plurality of openings or perforations 22 in which the concrete setting will engage and interlock the grid securely in place.

The outer sides of the crossing bars [8 and I9 are bounded by a grid frame 25. This grid frame is likewise preferably formed of brass so that there will not be any deleterious action between it and the concrete or the water-proof sealing Each frame 25 comprises a plurality of side frame members, each formed of a strip of a width wider than the bars l8 and IS. The surplus at the top of each strip is folded inwardly to provide inwardly extending flanges 26, the inner margins of which are doubled back and extended laterally from the opposite side to provide outwardly extending flanges 21. As shown in Figure 8, the heads of these generally T-shaped side members of the grid frame 25 are mitered and soldered together at the corners at 28 and the ends of the upright portions of these side members are turned at right angles around the adjacent ends of the side members disposed at right angles thereto and are preferably riveted and soldered at 3ll to these latter side members.

The ends of the upper margin of each bar [8 and I9 are notched at 32, the length of these notches longitudinally of the bars l8 and I9 being preferably equal to the lateral extension of the flanges 26 to receive these flanges with the upper surface of the heads of the grid frame flush with the upper edges of the bars l8 and l9. The depth of these notches 32 is preferably considerably greater than the thickness of the head of the grid frame to provide spaces 33 which afford communication between opposite sides of the respective bars of the grid structure. This maintains a uniformity of temperature around the-entire structure of the grid. Below the notches 32 the ends of the bars 18 and I9 have endwise abutting contact with the upright portions of the grid frame, and these abutting ends of the bars are provided with tongues or tabs 35 which extend through openings 36 in the frame and are riveted over at their outer ends to secure the bars firmly to the frame.

The grids 8 are embedded at 40 in the sides of the concrete supporting framework 5, and at 42 in the concrete beams 1 with the tops of the grids 8 substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the supporting framework 5. These grids define pane receiving openings and the panes 9 are positioned in these openings and supported upon the concrete surfaces l5 and I6. Gaskets 43, preferably of asphaltic material, are interposed between the bottom surfaces of the outer margins of the panes 9 and the concrete pane supporting surfaces l5 and I 6, and the bars l8 and I!) present metal spacers between the glass panes 9 and constitute reenforcing or carrying members for the structure.

The upper and outer surfaces of the concrete supporting framework 5 are covered by metal flashing 45, preferably in the form of sheet metal, and, in one practical adaptation of the present invention, consisting of sixteen-ounce lead coated copper, although this, of course, may vary widely within the scope of the present invention. The flashing 45 extends over the upper surfaces of the concrete framework 5 at 46, and the outer margins of the flashing members are turned down at 47 to cover the outer sides of the concrete framework structure. These down-turned outer sides 41 of the sheet metal flashing members may extend downwardly over the joints between the concrete framework 5 and the concrete supporting members l2 and, at the outer side of the structure, the lower ends of these down-turned portions are nailed or otherwise secured at 48 to wood inserts 49 secured in the members l2 with their outer surfaces flush with the outer surfaces of these members and of dovetail form widening inwardly as shown.

The inner margins of these outer flashing 'members 45 are preferably turned down around and interlocked at 50 with the flanges 26 of the side frame members of the grid structures. This sealing compound.

spouse's interlocking engagement at 51! is preferably effected before placing the panes 9 in position, which allows ample clearance for turning the marginsof the flashing members down and then out beneath the flanges 26. Where thero'ofdight or otherstmcture comprises a plurality of concrete framing structures defining openings 8 and a plurality of grids 8, the flashing members 52, between the respective grids (Figure 4), are of material similar to the flashing members 4'5 and are similarly arranged and interlocked at -53 with the inturned flanges 26 of the frame members of the adjacent grid structures. In this case, however, the sides of the adjacent concrete traming structure 5 are spaced apart, and'the flash ing-member 53 is turned down at 55 along the outer surface of one frame part 5 to the bottom of the same where it is turned out along the upper surface of the insulation 13 at 58 to the bottom of the outer surface of the other frame member 5 and is turned upwardly along the outer surface of this frame member at 5'! and then out over the upper surface of the member 5 and interlocked with the adjacent side frame 25 of the grid at 53. This fcrmsan intervening trough or channel 53 between the adjacent members 5, which trough or channel 58 is tilled with a suitable caulking compound at 59 to provide an expansion joint between the framing structures. The concrete beams 'I are integral at their intersections (Figure 1') and the flashing members are preferably coated with asphaltic paint which insulates the metal flashing mem-- here from the concrete.

The glass panes 9 are disposed in the grid openings defined by the grid bars 1:8 and I9 which, as already explained, constitute metal spacers between the glass panes 9, and these panes are supported upon the concrete framing structure 5 and concrete beams 1 through the intervening gaskets 43 and with the upper surfaces of the panes 9 flush with the upper surfaces of the flashing $5. The upper edges of the bars 59 and I9 lie flush with the upper surfaces of the panes 9, which panes 9, in one commercjal adaptation of the invention, are one-half inch standard rough rolled wire glass, although this, of course, may vary widely within the scope of the present invention. Each pane 9 is surrounded by a water-proof sealing compound 68. This sealing compound preferably consists of a tar and sulphur compound which is heated and poured around the panes 9 to fill the spaces between the inner margins of these panes and the bars I 8 and i9 and the spaces between the outer margins of these panes and the grid frame members and flashing. This sealing compound 68 surrounds and seals the entire margin of each pane 9 and allows for expansion and contraction of the glass and other parts. The metal grid not only presents metal spacers between and around the glass panes, but at the same time acts as a holder for the plastic filler or This compound extends to the top surfaces of the panes 9 and, in this manner, the panes have support upon asupporting structure of concrete or other material of low heat conductivity and, at the same time, the concrete is not exposed to moisture absorption along the upper or otherouter surfaces of the structure. The sealing compound or plastic filler 58 has interlocking engagement beneath the flanges 25 of the grid structure and the adjacent interlocking margins of the flashing, and

extends down to the surf-aces l5 and I6 slightly arolmd the lowercorners of the panes 9 and to the gaskets "43 to fill completely the spaces around the respective panes'9.

The use of metalgrids presents the metal spacers and framing parts about the panes and increases the strength of the structure, and the structure with the metal. grids removes the con crete from exposure along the outer surfaces of the structure and therebyovercomes the problem of moisture absorption and cracking and entry of water and moisture through the concrete portions .ofthe structure. These features constitute important aspects of the present invention. i

The grid structures 8, the novel construction of which constitutes another aspect of the invention, are made up .or fabricated as a unit and shipped to the job where, after the concrete has been poured to :the line of the steel forms, they are inserted or embedded in the wet concrete so that when the concrete sets, these grid structures will :be firmly anchored in theconcrete structure.

The flashing and its interlocking engagement with the frame work .of the grid is another aspect of the invention, as is the expansion joint provided in the metal flash-ing members where these members are. arranged'between two conerete framing structures;

The present invention is adapted for use with one or any desired number of grid members. These grid members may be shaped differently from the particular grid members shown in the 534 rators being coextensive with the margins of the .1g

openings, a filler between said panes and said separators, and a concrete support for supporting said panes in said openings entirely independently of said grid.

2. In a structure of the class described, the

combination of a framing structure formed of material of low heat conductivity and defining anlopening, said structure having an inset surface about said opening, beams of a material of low heat conductivity extending across said opening and between the sides of said framing structure and having their upper surfaces substantially flush with the inset surfaces .of said framing structure, a metal grid embedded in said beams :and framing structure and presenting pane separators defining pane receiving openings, panes positioned-in said grid openings and supported on the upper surfaces of said beams with the top surfaces of said beams wholly beneath said panes and upon the inset surfaces of said framing structure, said separators being disposed entirely externally of the outer margins of the panes, :and .a water-proof sealingfiller surrounding said panes.

13.1mm. structure of the class descr bed, the

lie

combination of a framing structure formed of material of low heat conductivity and defining an opening, said structure having an inset surface about said opening, beams of a material of low heat conductivity extending across said opening and between the sides of said framing structure and having their upper surfaces substantially flush with the inset surfaces of said framing structure, a metal grid embedded in said beams and framing structure and presenting pane separators defining pane receiving openings, said separators being disposed entirely externally of the outer margins of the panes, panes positioned in said grid openings and supported upon the upper surfaces of said beams with the top surfaces of said beams wholly beneath said panes and upon the inset surfaces of said framing structure, .a metal flashing covering the exposed surfaces of said framing structure and extending in toward the inset surfaces thereof for presentation to the adjacent edges of the panes, and a water-proof sealing filler surrounding said panes and interposed between the panes and the grid separators and flashing.

. 4. As an article of manufacture, a grid of the class described comprising a frame having side members of generally T-shaped section, and substantially flat grid bars extending between the sides of said frame and notched at their ends to receive the heads of the T-shaped side members of the frame and secured to said side members below said notches.

5. As an article of manufacture, a grid of the class described comprising a frame having side members of generally T-shaped section, and substantially flat grid bars extending between the sides of said frame and notched at their ends to receive the heads of the T-shaped side members of the frame and secured to said side members below said notches, said notches being of a depth greater than the depth of the flanges of said side members to afford communication between the opposite sides of said members.

6. In combination, a concrete support, a metal grid embedded in said support and comprising metal separators defining grid openings and extending throughout the extentofthe margins of said openings, and panes mounted in said grid openings and supported by said concrete support and independently of said grid.

'7. In combination, a grid comprising a frame having grid bars extending between and secured to the sides of the frame, and .a flashing formed separately of said grid and interlocked with the sides of the grid frame.

8. In combination, supporting means, a pair of grids embedded in said supporting means, a flashing covering said supporting means and interlocked with said grids, a pocket in said flashing between said grids, and a caulking compound in said pocket to form an expansion joint between the grids.

9. In combination, a support, a grid embedded in said support, and a flashing formed separately of said grid, said flashing covering said support and having interlocking engagement with said id.

10. In combination, a concrete framing structure defining an opening, concrete beams extending across said opening and between the sides of said framing structure, a grid embedded in said beams and said framing structure and defining grid openings, panes mounted in said grid openings, and a flashing covering said framing 'struc' ture and having interlocking engagement with said'grid.

11. In a skylight or floorlight construction, the combination with a reinforced concrete framework provided with a plurality of openings, light transmitting panes for the openings, said concrete framework being disposed wholly beneath said panes along the joints between adjacent panes, and metal pane-receiving shields separate from and anchored in the concrete about the openings so as to leave the adjacent concrete exposed, 'of means engaging the panes and the shields for covering the exposed concrete, said pane-receiving shields constituting except for said last means the sole means separating the adjacent edges of the light transmitting panes.

12. In a skylight or floorlight construction, the combination with a reinforced concrete framework provided with a plurality of openings, light transmitting panes for the openings, said concrete framework being disposed wholly beneath said panes along the joints between adjacent panes, and metal pane-receiving shields separate from and secured to the concrete about the openings so as to leave the adjacent concrete exposed, the construction being such that at least the panes lie in a plane, of means terminating flush with at least the panes for covering the exposed concrete, said pane-receiving shields constituting except for said last means the sole means separating the adjacent edges of the light transmitting panes.

13. In a skylight or floorlight construction, the combination with a reinforced concrete framework provided with a plurality of openings, light transmitting panes for the openings, and separate metallic pane-receiving shields anchored in the concrete about the openings so as to leave the adjacent concrete exposed, of means extending throughout the thickness of the panes and terminating flush with at least the panes and engaging the panes and the shields for covering the exposed concrete.

14. In a skylight or floorlight construction, the combination with a reinforced concrete framework provided with a plurality of openings, light transmitting panes for the openings, and separate metallic pane-receiving shields anchored in the concrete about the openings so as to leave the adjacent concrete exposed, of a waterproof and elastic compound extending throughout the thickness of the panes and terminating flush with at least the panes and engaging the panes and the shields for covering the exposed concrete.

15. In a skylight or floorlight construction, the combination with a reinforced concrete framework comprising a solid portion and a portion provided with a plurality of openings, light transmitting panes for the openings, and separate metallic pane-receiving shields anchored in the concrete about the openings so as to leave the adjacent concrete exposed, of a waterproof and elastic compound extending throughout the thick- '-ness of the pane and terminating flush with at least the panes and engaging the panes and the shields for covering the concrete exposed adjacent the panes, and a sheathing engaging the compound and secured to the concrete for covering the solid portion of the concrete.

16. In a skylight or floorlight construction, the combination with a reinforced concrete framework provided with a plurality of openings, light transmitting panes for the openings, separate metallic pane-receiving shields anchored in the concrete aboutthe openings, and a binder for receiving shields constituting except for said binder the sole separating means between adjacent edges of said light transmitting panes.

17. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of panes, a concrete support supporting adjacent margins of said panes and having its upper portion wholly below the under surfaces of said. panes, a rigid metal separator embedded in said concrete support and disposed between adjacent margins of the panes throughout the extent of said adjacent margins, said separator being spaced from the bottoms and adjacent margins of the panes throughout its entire extent, and a Water-proof sealing filler interposed between the separator and the adjacent margins of the panes.

18. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of panes, a concrete support supporting adjacent margins of said panes and having its upper portion wholly below the under surfaces of said panes, insulating gaskets between said concrete support and the under surfaces of the panes, a rigid metal separator embedded in said concrete support and disposed between adjacent margins of the panes throughout the extent of said adjacent margins, said separator being spaced from the bottoms and adjacent margins of the panes throughout its extent, and a water-proof sealing filler interposed between the separator and the adjacent margins of the pane.

19. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a concrete support, panes mounted on said support, a metal grid embedded in said support and presenting a metal framing part around the outer margins of said panes, said framing part being spaced from the bottoms and margins of the panes throughout its entire extent and extending throughout the entire extent of the outer margins of the panes, and. a waterproof sealing filler interposed between the framing part and the outer margins of the panes.

20. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a concrete support, panes mounted on said support, insulating gaskets between said support and the under surfaces of the panes, a metal grid embedded in said support and presenting a metal framing part around the outer margins of said panes, said framing part being spaced from the bottoms and margins of the panes throughout its entire extent and extending throughout the entire extent of the outer margins of the panes, and a Water-proof sealing filler interposed between the framing part and the outer margins of the panes.

GEORGE H. LENKE. 

